Chris Mitchell
Vice President, Global Government Relations

The Headlines at a Glance: 

TOP NEWS OF THE WEEK 

• IPC Outlines Expanded Plans to Address Workforce Shortages

QUOTE OF THE WEEK 

• IPC’s John Mitchell on Addressing the Industry’s Workforce Challenges

IPC ADVOCACY AND YOU 

• Join IPC Impact Day in DC, May 14-15; Help Shape Policy for Our Industry

DEFENSE & NATIONAL SECURITY 

• Cautious Optimism on First Anniversary of Biden’s Action on Defense Electronics
• U.S. Defense Spending Deal a Good Result for PCBs and Advanced Packaging

EUROPEAN EUNION

• EU Chips Research Funding Bridges Lab-to-Fab Gap

UPCOMING EVENTS

• IPC Impact Day: Washington, DC, May 14-15
• Women Reshaping the Engineering Landscape (Webinar), June 24

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TOP NEWS OF THE WEEK

IPC Outlines Expanded Plans to Address Workforce Shortages : IPC has unveiled an expanded workforce development strategy to tackle the chronic shortage of skilled workers in the electronics industry, rallying its extensive network of over 3,000 member companies to join forces. Authored by IPC’s David Hernandez, Carlos Plaza, and John W. Mitchell, the white paper, “Building Electronics Better,” addresses both immediate and long-term labor needs, with an emphasis on creating career pathways. At IPC APEX EXPO, Mitchell underscored IPC's pivotal role in education and workforce development, but he added, “We can’t do it alone” and called for more collaboration among industry, academia, and government. The IPC plan includes expanding the talent pipeline, creating career pathways, industry-defined training programs, dispelling career myths, fostering partnerships, and promoting standardized, stackable credentials. Read our press release, download the white paper, and learn more about IPC’s education and workforce efforts. IPC Contact: Chris Mitchell.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“IPC is the largest provider of education and workforce development in our industry. We credential more than 145,000 people per year, and we recently secured federal recognition for three registered apprenticeship programs. But we can’t do it alone – we’re calling on our partners in industry, academia, and government to join us on this critically important journey.” – Dr. John W. Mitchell, IPC President and CEO, calling on leaders in government, industry, and academia to work with IPC in solving the electronics industry’s workforce challenges.

IPC ADVOCACY AND YOU

Join IPC Impact Day in DC, May 14-15, Help Shape Policy for Our Industry:  The U.S. Congress and the Biden Administration are actively shaping policies that are crucial to our sector, including decisions on investments in domestic PCBs and advanced packaging; incentives in the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act for training and certification; and implementation of the CHIPS and Science Act. At this critical juncture, we invite your participation in advocating for our industry's interests. Please join us and help bring the industry's voice to Capitol Hill for IPC Impact Day, next month on May 14 and 15. This event is a unique opportunity for you to engage with your elected officials, other policymakers, and industry peers. Attendees will enjoy an opening dinner and networking reception, breakfast with a briefing on the key issues, meetings with Congressional Leadership, lunch featuring a special guest speaker, private Congressional meetings, and a closing happy hour. Register now and secure your place as a leader in electronics industry advocacy. IPC Contact: Rich Cappetto.

DEFENSE AND NATIONAL SECURITY

Cautious Optimism on First Anniversary of Biden’s Action on Defense Electronics: As we marked the recent one-year anniversary of U.S. President Joe Biden's “presidential determination” regarding defense electronics, IPC had mixed views. On the one hand, the recently approved funding for Department of Defense purchases under the Defense Production Act (DPA) exceeded expectations, due in part to IPC's advocacy work (see next item). On the other hand, the U.S. defense community still lacks a "silicon-to-systems" strategy to strengthen the broader electronics manufacturing ecosystem. Looking forward, our optimism is tempered by uncertainty, particularly as the Administration's FY25 budget proposal lacks earmarks for PCBs, advanced packaging, or IC substrates, and it would actually cut the DPA account. IPC remains committed to advocacy efforts to prevent stalled momentum and ensure continued progress. Read more on the IPC blog. IPC Contact: Rich Cappetto.

U.S. Defense Spending Deal a Good Result for PCBs and Advanced Packaging: In a win for the electronics manufacturing industry, the fiscal 2024 spending deal enacted in late March by Congress and signed by President Biden includes $587.9 million for Defense Production Act (DPA) purchases, including purchases called for under President Biden’s 2023 Presidential Determination which names domestic printed circuit boards (PCBs) as essential to U.S. national security. These funds had been on the chopping block, and IPC swung into action to defend them throughout the budget negotiation process. As a result, the funding provided for DPA purchases is $156 million more than the low end of the negotiation, and an explanatory statement says, “The Secretary of Defense is encouraged to prioritize Defense Production Act investments in support of domestic printed circuit board fabrication.” IPC now calls on the Pentagon to proceed with allocating the full $85 million it had budgeted for PCBs and advanced packaging in FY24. Meanwhile, there is no time to rest; IPC now must turn to the even bigger challenge of ensuring that funding for the electronics ecosystem continues in FY25. The administration’s recent FY25 budget proposal contains cuts in DPA purchases overall and no additional funds for PCB and advanced packaging. Unless this is corrected, it could result in stalled momentum in 2025 and beyond. IPC Contact: Rich Cappetto.

EUROPEAN UNION

EU Chips Research Funding Bridges Lab-to-Fab Gap: This week, the European Commission took another step in advancing semiconductor technology by allocating the first tranche of funding for “pilot lines” under the European Chips Act. Managed by the Chips Joint Undertaking, which oversees the EU's investment in chips research, this allocation marks a pivotal moment in the region's technological advancement. Following a rigorous selection process, Imec, CEA-Leti, and Fraunhofer have emerged as key players among the Research and Technology Organizations (RTOs) entrusted with running these pilot lines. These lines will serve as crucial bridges “from lab to fab,” facilitating the transition of cutting-edge technologies from conception to commercialization. One of the pilot lines will specifically focus on advanced heterogeneous systems integration, highlighting the EU's commitment to fostering innovation across diverse domains within the semiconductor industry. Read the press release from Chips Joint Undertaking. IPC Contact: Alison James.

UPCOMING EVENTS

IPC Impact Day: Washington, DC, May 14-15: Join us for IPC Impact Day to shape policy for the electronics industry. Engage with elected officials, policymakers, and industry peers during this unique event, featuring networking receptions, key issue briefings, meetings with Congressional Leadership, a special guest speaker luncheon, and much more. Register today!

Bold Breakthroughs: Women Reshaping the Engineering Landscape (Webinar): June 24, 10:00-11:00 am EDT. Join IPC for this special virtual event in celebration of International Women in Engineering Day. This event will shine a spotlight on the incredible women in the electronics industry who are breaking barriers, making bold breakthroughs, and paving the way for future generations. Led by IPC’s Teresa Rowe, Senior Director of Assembly & Standards Technology, panelists include nine extraordinary women from nine different countries. Register today for FREE!

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		Following up on President Biden's recent FY 2025 Budget Proposal, here are its potential implications for the electronics industry. On the plus side, we appreciate the increased investment in STEM education and workforce development, including apprenticeship funding, which we hope to leverage to nurture talent in our industry. And while increased funding for the U.S. Department of Commerce and related science/tech agencies is positive, it's crucial to ensure these investments align with a "silicon-to-systems" approach. The IPC Government Relations team will continue to watch the FY25 budget debate and advocate on behalf of our industry.
One of the most difficult and urgent challenges facing the electronics industry is a chronic shortage of adequately skilled workers. IPC unveiled an expansion of its workforce development strategy and called on its more than 3,000 member companies to join in the effort. In a new paper by IPC’s David Hernandez, Carlos Plaza, and John W. Mitchell, IPC targets both immediate labor market needs and the long-term sustainability and growth of the industry, with a focus on developing rewarding career pathways.

KEEP IN TOUCH WITH US 

Meet the IPC GR Team: Whether it is engaging with policymakers in the Americas, the European Union, or Asia, the IPC Government Relations (GR) Team proactively seeks opportunities to educate, inform and influence policymakers on policies that spur innovation, growth and competition, while protecting human health and the environment. But our success depends on your support and engagement. Learn more and get involved in IPC advocacy today! IPC Contact: Chris Mitchell.   

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